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Paradigm Persona series

I'm beginning to poke around and gather opinions and information about a "super speaker" to replace my aging Thiel 2.4s.  I like the idea of bass dsp room correction and I am a bit of a point source type imaging nut (thus the Thiels).  So among other choices I've been looking at the Paradigm Persona series specifically the powered 9H with room correction for the bass.  However I'm skeptical of the "lenses" i.e. pierced metal covers on the midrange and tweeter specifically because of Paradigm's claim that such screens "screen out" "out of phase" musical information.  The technology in the design seems superlative but I just can't get past the claim re out of phase information and the midrange and tweeter covers.  What could possibly be the science behind this claim?  It just seems like its putting a halloween moustache on the mona lisa given the fact that the company is generally a technology driven company.
pwhinson
nabcs's avatar
nabcs
55 posts
 
If you have the chance, please try Townshend Seismic Isolation Podium.
Very effective isolation and give a even more premium look to the speakers.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,636 posts
 
Nabcs, the issue with Townshend is that they would be very difficult to demo there are very few Townshend dealers in the USA vs Isoacoustics which are much easier to demo also the Townshend are way more expensive than $1,200.00 for both speakers for the Isoacoustics aren't they? 

Which one is more effective we don't know, the Isoacoustics stuff is great and we have yet to have a client ever not comment that they heard a meaningfull difference after getting a set.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Isoacoustics and Persona dealers
pwhinson OP
158 posts
 
Those of you who have paired SET electronics with the 9H, is tube rush an issue for you?  The reason I'm asking is that oddly there was NO audible tube rush when running my Aesthetix Janus or my Aesthetix Calypso (yes I have both) yet with the 9H, there is very audible tube rush at about 3 feet away from the speaker or closer.  To be frank it doesn't really bother me but its is very curious to me that when I switch in the Thiel 2.4's theres NO audible tube rush.  Any thoughts?
nabcs's avatar
nabcs
55 posts
 
Yes, there is some noise from the speakers, but nothing too serious. Personas 9Hs at 96db sensitivity, I think it is inevitable.
At the other hand, Thiel CS2.4 at 87db and 4 ohm impedance, are not the most obvious choice for a SET Amp IMO.
pwhinson OP
158 posts
 
With regard to the idea of an isolation platform I would also just point out that I'm not sure it would be desirable to raise the height of the speaker.  At my seated position my ears about 3'6" from the floor whereas the Paradigm tweeter is already significantly higher than that at about 4"1" above floor level.  That's not a problem due to the tweeter's dispersion characteristics but I'm not sure you really want to raise the level of those drivers any higher.
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